How to Join or Get Involved with Calgary Roller Derby

Calgary Roller Derby (CRD) has four ways to get involved: new skater training, drop-in practices, junior roller derby for kids aged 6–17, and off-skates roles like volunteering or officiating. Which path fits you depends on whether you already skate, how old you are, and whether you want to compete or just help out. Every route below starts with an email or a registration form rather than a walk-up session, so plan to make contact first.

Joining as a New Skater

Registration is open for new skater training. The site's "Join Roller Derby" section links to a "Learn More Here" page with the full details, but the entry point is the same for everyone: email [email protected] and say you're interested in new skater training.

Expect to start from zero. Roller derby is a full-contact sport played on quad skates, so new skater training covers skating fundamentals and hitting technique before you ever line up in a game. You don't need prior derby experience to begin — that's what the training is for.

Dropping In from Another League

If you already skate with a league in the Calgary area, you don't have to join CRD to practise with them. All CRD league practices are open to skaters from surrounding leagues. The site links to a "Full Details About Drop-Ins" page for the specifics.

This is the right option if you're visiting, between leagues, or just want extra track time without committing to a team. Contact the league before showing up so you know what to bring and which practice suits your skill level.

Kids: Calgary Junior Roller Derby

Calgary Junior Roller Derby (CJRD) is open to kids of any gender between the ages of 6 and 17. Juniors play under the same Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) rules as the adult league, with adjustments to how much contact is allowed.

The intake schedule is fixed, so timing matters:

If you're reading this before the Fall 2026 deadline, register now — the first practice for level 2/3 skaters is the same day registration closes. Otherwise, the Winter 2027 intake opens in February 2027.

Volunteering, Officiating, or Transferring

You don't have to skate to be part of CRD. The league invites people to "volunteer, officiate, transfer or otherwise hang out." For any of these, email [email protected] and state what you're interested in.

• Volunteers — help at games and events without skating.
• Officials — referee or work the penalty box; derby always needs officials.
• Transferring skaters — moving from another league? Use the same address.

Which Contact Address to Use

CRD lists separate addresses so your message reaches the right person:

The site also links to Facebook and Instagram, which are worth checking for current schedules and last-minute changes before you email.

Teams You Could End Up On

Once you're in, here's what the league looks like:

• All Stars — the WFTDA travel team, competing internationally at the highest level.
• Jane Deere — the B-travel team, playing across Western Canada.
• B-52 Bellas — described as fearing nothing, with one mission: victory.
• Thrashin' Lassies — a team that will knock you down, buy you a pint, then knock you down again.
• Cut Throat Car Hops — currently on hiatus.
• Official-ly Awesome — the officials crew.
• Juniors — the CJRD youth programme.

New skaters don't pick a team on day one; you train first, then work toward the level that fits.

Common Sticking Points

• Emailing the wrong address. Join and volunteer inquiries go to info@, not media@.
• Missing the junior deadline. Fall 2026 registration closes September 9, 2026 — the same day level 2/3 practices begin.
• Assuming you can just show up. Drop-ins are welcome, but only from skaters in surrounding leagues, and you should confirm details first.
• Waiting for a general "sign-up" button. For adults, the path runs through emailing the league, not a public checkout.